Sermons on Lack Of Expectation:

Gentleness & Goodness Series

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Jul 20, 2010

We live in a ‘dog-eat-dog’ world. There is not even much gentleness or goodness where you might expect to find it: nurses and doctors have become preoccupied with lawsuits and their paychecks, homes are toxic environments, and churches are full of bitter

Do gentleness and goodness seem like qualities on the top of many lists? What do these words mean to you? For some, it might mean being a push-over or a marshmallow… to others, it might be a coveted virtue. Needless to say, these character traits are as scarce as water in a summer Arizona ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Re-Orientation To The Program Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 19, 2017

"All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me." It was, probably, this announcement that led to the inquiry which Luke mentions next. Being informed that all authority is now given to him, the disciples expected to see him begin to exercise it.

May 6, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Title: The Re-orientation to the Program Scripture: Acts 1.6-8 Acts 1.6-8 (KJV) 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Joshua 2: The Spies Found More Than Just Info! Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 29, 2024

Spies have the mission to find out selected, desired, information and report what they found. Two Hebrew spies were sent to find out what they could about Jericho, but they found something they didn't expect to see!

Introduction: This second chapter of Joshua has the record of two spies, sent by Joshua, to get as much information about Jericho as they could. This chapter also has the account of how Rahab, a Canaanitess and native of Jericho, had come to believe in the God of Israel. Rahab protected the two ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 3) Discovering God In Surprising Ways Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 4, 2024

Many of us have had moments when we expected God to act a certain way, only to be surprised by how He actually revealed Himself. Perhaps you were praying for a breakthrough, but God brought transformation in a different form.

The Unexpected Jesus: Discovering God in Surprising Ways Introduction Today, I want to explore a theme that could radically transform your relationship with God: the idea that Jesus often shows up in ways we least expect. Many of us have had moments when we expected God to act a certain way, only ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-7, Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalm 139:7-10, Mark 5:25-34, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Luke 5:4-11, Isaiah 6:8, Hebrews 13:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

God Can Use Anyone As A Destiny Helper Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 11, 2025

Destiny helpers are people whom God strategically places in our lives to assist us in fulfilling His purpose. Sometimes, these helpers are not the people we expect—God can use anyone, regardless of status, background, or position, to be a channel of blessing.

GOD CAN USE ANYONE AS A DESTINY HELPER By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Kings 5:2-3 "And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:2-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Judas Iscariot

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 13, 2018

Why did Judas Iscariot betray Jesus - was there an ulterior motive? Did Judas Iscariot see something in Jesus that the other disciples missed? Was Judas Iscariot trying to kick-start Jesus into action as the real and promised Messiah, the expected Messiah

Judas Iscariot John 12: 1-8 Today’s gospel from John is set in holy week, the anointing of Jesus with precious ointment – a poignant scene; but Judas reacted that it was a terrible waste, the ointment could have been sold and the money given to the poor. John's comment is that Judas said this, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16, Matthew 26:47-50, John 12:1-8

Surprising The World Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon introduction discusses the anxiety some people feel towards evangelism, questioning if faith-sharing should be anxiety-inducing, and referencing Michael Frost's book "Surprise the World" which suggests that not everyone should be expected to evangelize in the same way.

Why does the word ‘evangelism’ cause some people so much anxiety? Do you get images of door-knocking or approaching strangers in shopping malls? Does it make you feel like you’re being turned into a reluctant recruitment officer for the church? Should faith-sharing really be anxiety producing? In ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6, 1 Peter 3:15-16

Topics: Evangelism, Faith-Sharing, Anxiety

Sermon Series: Surprise The World

Preparation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 4, 2018

What does building a highway have to do with preparation for celebrating Christ’s first coming? What does it have to do with preparing for Christ’s Second Coming? Let’s understand the preparation Christ expects. Let’s discuss preparing the way for Christ in Luke 3:1-6.

What does building a highway have to do with preparation for celebrating Christ’s first coming? What does it have to do with preparing for Christ’s Second Coming? Let’s understand the preparation Christ expects. Let’s discuss preparing the way for Christ in Luke 3:1-6. Caesar Luke 3:1 “Now in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Doubt

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 1, 2012

No matter the doubt you are dealing with, God understands the doubts. You cannot leave it alone. I challenge you today to expect doubt. I challenge you today to attack doubt at the source. I challenge you to look at the evidence. All three of these v

DEALING WITH DOUBT LUKE 7:18-35 INTRODUCTION… Story of Doubt The little boy cried out over and over, “Mom where are you?!” He was walking back and forth in the front of the store. People with shopping carts full of milk, bread, fruit, and other household items rattled past the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sheep Among Wolves – Part 2 Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Oct 17, 2006

Have you ever looked at the road ahead of you and thought, “I’m not so sure I want to do this”? Ever faced something you knew was going to be harder than anything you had attempted in quite a long while and expected that you wouldn’t make it? Have you bee

These are some of the statements I found in a few of the recent “Help Wanted” ads on a local website. There is a lot of diversity in this position for someone who wishes to gain experience in a variety of different areas. We offer a small company environment, with significant learning ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Series: Limiting The Holy One Of Israel (Part 2: Jesus Could Do Not Much Miracles In His Own Hometown Except... Why?)

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Mar 10, 2020

Jesus, the local boy, leaves town and makes it big in the world - and returns with great following. He has shaken the religious establishment, nation & Roman world. You would expect his own to applaud him & see God's work displayed through Him. But no - He does few miracles. Why?

DO NOT LIMIT THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL (PART 2) JESUS COULD DO NOT MUCH MIRACLES IN HIS OWN HOMETOWN EXCEPT... 1. Mark 6:1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6, Psalm 78:41

Denomination: Charismatic

Using What God Has Given Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 26, 2003

God gives each of special abilities and expects us to be faithful in using what we’ve been given. Instead of “hiding” our gifts we’re to invest them in kingdom service. There’s no getting around the fact that we are responsible for what we’ve been given

Using What God Has Given A man from out east had always dreamed of owning a cattle ranch and had finally saved enough money to buy his dream spread in Wyoming. His best friend flew out to visit and asked, “So, what’s the name of your ranch?” His buddy told him that he had a really hard time ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30, Matthew 25:14-25, Romans 12:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Fix Your Eyes On Jesus

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 9, 2022

In this account, Jesus’ disciples neither totally believed nor totally disbelieved His power to rescue them. We can’t ride the fence. We must keep our eyes fixed only on Jesus before we can expect to see Him work in our life.

Os Guinness tells us in his book In Two Minds, “To believe is to be ‘in one mind’ about accepting something as true; to disbelieve is to be ‘in one mind’ about rejecting it. To doubt is to waver between the two, to believe and disbelieve at once and so be ‘in two minds’.”(1) This morning we are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

For Jesus' Love 8 Leadership Traits

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Aug 15, 2017

Healing the broken-hearted to proclaim liberty to the captive is a Jesus-effect to bind in the lives of the anointed believers and followers of christ.

FOR JESUS’ LOVE 8 Leadership Traits By Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (August 2, 2017) “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Denomination: Friends

Title: The Power Of Gratitude: Remembering To Say Thank You

Contributed by Don Aldrich Tamayo on Jun 25, 2023

Have you ever noticed how saying "thank you" doesn't always come naturally? We see this even in young children who often expect things without appreciating them. As adults, we might struggle with expressing gratitude, especially when it comes to thanking the Lord.

------ OUTLINE ------- Introduction: Hey there, friends! Have you ever noticed how saying "thank you" doesn't always come naturally? We see this even in young children who often expect things without appreciating them. As adults, we might struggle with expressing gratitude, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17, Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist